Which 300B Tube?

[RDSChicago]

I have a Melody AN300b push pull integrated which takes a quad of 300b's, a pair of 6S97's and a 12AT7. I was thinking about upgrading the tubes? Are the Sophia Royal Princess's worth it? What others would you recommend? I have heard good things about the Genalex Gold Lion PX300b.

What about recommendations for the other tubes?

I listen mostly to jazz.

Thanks!

[Mike]

The Elrog's were really really nice, but reliability was questionable. I think Western Electric 300b's are still king.

[RDSChicago]

Just picked up a quad of Sophia Royal Princess 300b's amd you know something, they really do make a difference! Richer, deeper and airier notes with the decay on each note more pronounced and resonating. Instruments sound more separated and pronounced. Sometimes rather than upgrading components a little re-accessorizing is all that's needed.

[Mike]

Just picked up a quad of Sophia Royal Princess 300b's amd you know something, they really do make a difference! Richer, deeper and airier notes with the decay on each note more pronounced and resonating. Instruments sound more separated and pronounced. Sometimes rather than upgrading components a little re-accessorizing is all that's needed.

Congrats! I've heard good things about the Sophia's. Did they give you an expected life of the tube?

[RDSChicago]

No exact expected life was given but I was told thousands of hours and that seemed sufficient as I probably will fire her up maybe only five hours per week on average.

[redgogo]

300B Mesh Plate - Emission Labs IMO is the best ! Only minus is less power . . .

[Mike]

300B Mesh Plate - Emission Labs IMO is the best ! Only minus is less power . . .

Interesting...

[ilydamfe]

SuperTNT Sapphire Crystal 300BD is very good.

[jadedavid]

In the Coincident Frankenstein amps the EML XLS have been the standouts between Shanguang Black Treasure, Takasutki (sp) & Elrogs.
YMMV.

[aKnyght]

western electric?

last i heard at axpona, the new manufacture 300Bs would be available in september. almost makes me want to get a 300B SET amp just hear these...

http://westernelectric.com/products/300b.html

[jbtrio]

The Emission Labs Mesh plates are very nice but, you can't run them with amps running higher voltages then WE specs.
I have Coincident Frankenstein amps and run Takatsuki TA-300b and EML XLS tubes. I like the Taks the best but, the XLS are excellent too.

I also have Elrog tubes (3rd set) brand new in the box. I can't use because they don't last in my Franks which run higher voltages. To bad because they sound wonderful.

If anybody wants the Elrogs. I'll give you a really good price. I wouldn't use them for power amps. In preamps and Dacs they will be fine like Lampi dacs and Vinni Rossi LIO they should last a long time.

[VinylSavor]

Hi!

I just wanted to point out that the Elrog ER300B reliability issues have been solved two years ago since I took over production. Elrog 300Bs can of course be used in power amps and are able to work at high voltages no problem

Thomas

[vortrex]

I tried the Elrog 300B and the EML XLS. I thought the Elrog sounded better overall, but my amp seemed to like the extra grunt of the XLS.

[jbtrio]

Thank You for the update Thomas. I'm glad that the reliability problems are solved. My set were made just before you took over so I won't use them in my amps. They are sitting in there box collecting dust.

I'm sure they can make somebody happy for a dac or preamp. If somebody is interested let me know I'll give you a good deal!